Fall is definitely on its way and it is getting closer to the time of the year when it is important for everyone to do their best to keep Golden free from bear attractants.

As fruits ripen and fall off the trees, these attractants encourage bears in search of extra energy to come closer to town or even into your backyard.

The staff at the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge are reminding and urging all residents to clean up their backyards and keep yards free of bear attractants such as windfall fruit, ripening fruit on trees, pet food, unclean barbeques and to secure garbage until pickup day.

By working together we hope everyone can help mitigate the number of bears that become a problem in the Golden area due to our carelessness. The Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge also works closely with Golden Bear Aware with fruit pick-up and to help communicate tips on minimizing bear attractants at home and in the back country 250-290-1222.

The Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge will gladly accept donations of excess fruit. The benefits of donating your fruit helps Boo fatten up in preparation for his long winter slumber, and removes the unnecessary attractants in town for local bears. You can help the bears, yourself and neighbours by picking up your windfall and excess fruit. If you have a large surplus of fruit you can arrange a drop-off at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort by calling 250-439-5546, this will ensure we are aware of all fruit dropped off. The Refuge staff can also arrange a pick-up of excess fruit when packed in small boxes or bins that can be easily carried please call. The Golden Food Bank also accepts fruit that is edible and bug free. For more information on this option, contact the Golden Food Bank at 250-344-2213.

The Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge is open daily, with educational information about black and grizzly bears, along with the opportunity to view Boo, the resident Grizzly Bear. The early days of fall provide a great opportunity for viewing Boo, as he is spending a majority of his time out in the open foraging on the various berry species that are plentiful within his habitat.

Don’t forget to come early as the best viewing time is early morning or later afternoon. The Refuge is open from 9 a.m. daily though September 25.